Kentucky reported 105,000 job openings in June 2025, a decrease from the 117,000 openings recorded in May, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state’s job openings rate stood at 4.8 percent in June, down from 5.4 percent the previous month. Nationally, the job openings rate was slightly lower at 4.4 percent in June and 4.6 percent in May.
Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that these figures are seasonally adjusted and reflect ongoing changes in labor market conditions.
The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Kentucky remained at 1.0 for June, indicating one available job for every unemployed person in the state. This ratio aligns with broader national trends; across the country, twenty-five states and the District of Columbia had ratios below the national average of 0.9 unemployed persons per job opening, while eighteen states posted higher ratios and seven matched the national figure.
In terms of hiring activity, Kentucky saw 75,000 hires and 69,000 separations during June compared to May’s totals of 81,000 hires and 72,000 separations. Over the past twelve months ending in June, monthly averages were recorded at 76,000 hires and 72,000 separations.
June’s separations included 39,000 quits—employees leaving their jobs voluntarily—and 26,000 layoffs or discharges. In comparison to May’s numbers (42,000 quits and 25,000 layoffs/discharges), there has been a slight decline in both categories for June. The twelve-month averages for Kentucky show quits ranged between 36,000 and 50,000 per month (averaging out at about 43,000), while layoffs/discharges averaged around 24,000 monthly with a range from nineteen thousand to thirty thousand.
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) compiles these statistics using model-based estimates that draw on sample surveys as well as employment census data such as those from Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) and Current Employment Statistics (CES). State-level unemployment figures are modeled by programs like Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
State JOLTS estimates for July will be released on September 17th.
“This news release presents statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The JOLTS program provides information on labor demand and turnover. The state estimates produced by JOLTS are model-based, incorporating JOLTS sample, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates. For more information see the JOLTS State Estimates Methodology.”
“Job Openings include all positions that are open on the last business day of the reference month.”
“The number of unemployed persons per job opening is a ratio of the level of unemployed persons and the level of job openings. The number of unemployed persons at the national level is an estimate from the Current Population Survey (CPS), while state-level unemployment estimates are modeled by the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program. A ratio of 1.0 means there is a job available for every unemployed person. Lower ratios signal tighter labor markets where firms have more job openings than there are unemployed persons available to work; higher ratios indicate there are more unemployed persons competing for each job opening.”
“Hires include all additions to payroll during the entire reference month.”
“Separations include all separations from payroll during the entire reference month and are reported by type: quits; layoffs/discharges; other separations.”
“Levels/rates for other types represent a small portion & aren’t published with state releases.”
“Complete definitions/exclusions/additional info about State JOLTS data presented here can be found in State Job Openings & Labor Turnover Technical Note.”
Information from this release can be made accessible upon request via voice phone or Telecommunications Relay Service.
